Macrophages are one of the most important cells of the innate immune system and are known for their ability to engulf and digest foreign substances, including cellular debris and tumor cells. They can convert into tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) when mature macrophages are recruited into the tumor microenvironment. Their role in cancer progression, metastasis, and therapy failure is of special note. The aim of this review is to understand how the presence of TAMs are both advantageous and disadvantageous in the immune system.

Maize Iranian mosaic virus (MIMV, family Rhabdoviridae) causes an important disease in cereal crops in Iran. It is transmitted by the planthopper Laodelphax striatellus in a persistent, propagative manner. In the present study, the effect of MIMV on the energy reserves of L. striatellus was studied by comparing energy contents in viruliferous and non‐viruliferous insects. Results showed that MIMV‐infected male and female adults, and nymphs stored 1.82, 2.24 and 1.7‐fold more total energy reserves than non‐viruliferous individuals. This is consistent with a 2.55‐fold increase of the total energy (sum of energy sources in nymphs and adults) of viruliferous compared to non‐viruliferous specimens. A significant increase in glycogen (2.26‐fold), carbohydrate (2.13‐fold), lipid (1.63‐fold) and protein (1.96‐fold) was documented in viruliferous insects compared to non‐viruliferous insects. Based on these results, we conclude that MIMV enhances the energy reserves of its vector and therefore, may play a vital role in the ecology of L. striatellus.

Background: Sensitive detection of Maize Iranian mosaic virus (MIMV) in its insect vector, Laodelphax striatellus is essential for effective forecast and control of this viral disease. Objectives: Three methods of ELISA, RT-PCR and IC-RT-PCR were compared regarding their sensitivity for detection of MIMV in the single planthopper with a series of various dilutions. Materials and Methods: To detect MIMV from a single insect vector, the sensitivity of three methods including ELISA, RT-PCR and IC-RT-PCR was evaluated. Results: Compared to the other methods, the IC-RT-PCR showed more sensitivity and detected virus at least at the 1:60 dilution. While, both ELISA and RT-PCR methods could detect up to the 1:20. Conclusions: The results reported herein showed that IC-RT-PCR is a sensitive and simple method to detect MIMV from a single insect vector with high efficiency and reliability. These findings might be useful in the prediction of viral disease incidence in host plants and this method can also be effective to detect other viruses in their insect vectors.